Subj : November 13th - St. Homobonus To : All From : rich Date : Tue Nov 12 2019 09:06:33 From: rich November 13th - St. Homobonus (d. 1197) Some of the Latin baptismal names that ancient Christian parents bestowed on their children were quaint but devout: like =E2=80=9CQuodvultdeus,=E2=80=9D which means =E2=80=9Cwhatever God wants=E2= =80=9D; or =E2=80=9CDeusdedit,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CGod's gift=E2=80=9D; or =E2=80=9CDesideratus,=E2=80=9D =E2= =80=9Cwanted=E2=80=9D. In the 12th century, there lived in Cremona, Italy, a prosperous merchant who took his newborn son to church and announced to the priest that he wanted him baptized =E2=80=9CHomobonus=E2=80=9D. The word me= ans =E2=80=9Cgood man=E2=80=9D. The parent had chosen the child's baptismal name with= care, and he was determined to teach his son how to live up to its implications. He fulfilled his plan well. Homobonus grew up well-instructed in the skills of merchandising, but at the same time a lover of honesty, virtue and self-respect. He came to appreciate that his calling as a businessman was a divine calling. God wanted him to be just where He had put him; it was in the marketplace that he would work out his salvation. Providentially, Homobonus of Cremona found a wife who possessed the same convictions. Others of their mercantile class might trip over the occupational hazards of ambition, dissipation and vain display, but not Mr. and Mrs. H. Their simple life style gave them all the more means and incentive to reach out to the less fortunate. God appreciated this saintly couple's works of mercy, and even set His stamp of approval on them by working miracles in favor of those whom they assisted; so the author of St. Homobonus's biography assured u= s. Among the worthy merchant's devotional habits was to go daily to th= e church of St. Giles to =E2=80=9Creport=E2=80=9D to God on his activities. I= t was during one of these visits that he came to the end of his life. On November 13,1197, he was attending Mass. At the Gloria he stretched out his arms in the shape of a cross and fell forward into a prostration. Those beside him thought this was just an act of personal penance. But when he failed to stand for the Gospel, they went over to him and found that he had died. Pope Innocent III canonized this holy Cremonian only two years after his death. No reason to wait longer. Homobonus had obviously lived up to his name. Like Charlie Brown (if we may make such a comparison), he was a GOOD MAN. Wouldn't it be wonderful if those who survive us could say of us in all sincerity, =E2=80=9CHe was a good man,=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9CShe was a g= ood woman.=E2=80=9D There could be no higher human praise. It would mean that we had, as St. Paul says, shown ourselves =E2=80=9Cchildren of God beyond reproach=E2=80= =A6 like the stars in the sky.=E2=80=9D It would mean that we had conscientiously lived = up to the particular task God assigned to us and not wasted his graces. This would mean that we had fully understood why we were created: to know God and love Him and serve Him in this world so as to be happy with Him forever in heaven. =E2=80=93Father Robert Saint Quote: I thank thee, O Lord, that Thou hast vouchsafed to honor me with a perfect love towards Thee, and hast made me to be bound with iron chains, like Thy Apostle Paul. -- Saint Ignatius of Antioch Bible Quote: How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Psalm 47:2) <><><><> THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL =C2 (Imprimatur 1946) Third Day DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY =C2 =C2 =C2 The destiny awaiting us at death is not the same for al= l men: "He will render to every man according to his works." (Matt. xvi. 27.) Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are the three places into which the souls of the departed are received. Heaven is the happy destination of perfectly pure and holy souls only; Hell the final doom of the reprobate; Purgatory, temporarily for the just, who are not as yet entirely purified. There God completes the punishment due to their faults, which were not sufficiently atoned for on earth; there He submits these holy souls to the last purgation, to cleanse them from the least stain, and, by fire, to bring them to that degree of perfected purity, which is necessary for them before being admitted to eternal bliss. Hence there are two classes of souls in Purgatory: =C2 1. Those who depart this life, stained by venial sins and imperfecti= ons. =C2 2. Those who have repented sincerely 'of their mortal sins and confessed them, if possible, without having done sufficient penance for them. Judging from our lives, experience teaches us that most men deserve Purgatory for both causes. Prayer: Graciously hear, O God, the fervent prayers we offer Thee for the suffering souls in Purgatory, who, not having satisfied Thy divine justice, confide in Thine infinite mercy and our intercessions. Extend unto them Thy consolations, and redeem them, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who suffer in Purgatory for little faults. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times) Practice: Be conscientious and faithful in the performance of little duties, and offer the inconvenience for the suffering souls. Invocation: My Jesus, mercy! --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .